your point about him in 3rd is valid. Breaks up a string of lefties...Crawford in the 2-hole would be nice if he was hitting, but he has been striking out left and right. He would likely see better pitches to hit surrounded by Ells, Pedey, and Gonzo. I'm still rooting for him everyday though.

alright, i'm all for keeping pedroia in the clean-up spot, even when youk does come back. anybody really gonna miss youk at clean-up?and yes, i would put jd crawford at # 2. he can't do any worse there than at #6.and if he fails in the 2 hole, well then, there's only one other hole to put him in; but that would require a shovel.

alright, i'm all for keeping pedroia in the clean-up spot, even when youk does come back. anybody really gonna miss youk at clean-up? and yes, i would put jd crawford at # 2. he can't do any worse there than at #6. and if he fails in the 2 hole, well then, there's only one other hole to put him in; but that would require a shovel.Posted by theYAZZER

Yazzer - I preface this by saying I know the statement I am about to make is the feather in your cap, the to-date-crowning achievement for all your efforts here on the BDC board, your flight-jacketed Mission Accomplished on the BDC air craft carrier, but: If I ever meet you in person, I am going to choke the s&*t out of you.

If I'm manager, Pedey stays in the clean up spot even if Albert Pujols comes over. Batting .491 (27-55) with four homers in his career when fourth in the lineup.So what if he's probably the shortest clean-up hitter in decades?

In Response to Re: While Youk and Papi are out, Pedroia should bat 4th everyday : Yazzer - I preface this by saying I know the statement I am about to make is the feather in your cap, the to-date-crowning achievement for all your efforts here on the BDC board, your flight-jacketed Mission Accomplished on the BDC air craft carrier, but: If I ever meet you in person, I am going to choke the s&*t out of you.Posted by SpacemanEephus

While I think there is no wrong spot to bat Pedroia ( maybe 8th or 9th)...I do prefer him at #2 spot. I really think he has shown good basestealing ability and , despite the power , he is not suited for full time cleanup duty, I would rather see Youk or Ortiz.

I feel this will be a temporary spot for him and he should not be batting 4th permanently. He is just too good in the #2 spot. He can get more AB's and set the table for the guys like Gonzalez, Ortiz and Youk. When everyone was healthy the offense was fine. I WOULDN'T MESS WITH THAT.

Now would be a good time to put Crawford back in the two spot, that is supposed comfort zone and hit Pedey clean-up. I don't see it happening though as Tito would never hit 3 lefties in order.Posted by attic-dan

I also don't think when your missing your 4 and 5 hitters you move Crawford down to 2 to see if that might turn him around.

Like Drew b4 Crawford I think when someone is struggling you need to still put him back in the fire, he's a perfect #2 if we did not already have Pedroia there,Posted by BurritoT

Honestly Burrito I don't think he was ever a perfect #2. Historically #2 is a guy who can take a strike and not hurt his chances of getting a hit (not Crawford), high OBP (never was Crawford) and good bat control. Watching Crawford this year he is as less gifted, under powered version of Vladdy or Alphonso Soriano.

Now Lowrie does give the RS one advantage. Sandwiched between Ells and A-Gon he baits a manager in to bringing in a LH pitcher to face Ells and A-Gon and in the process it turns him around where he is most effective (RH). There aren't really ideal options when you lose guys like Youk and Ortiz at the same time.

Then again what team seamlessly replaces its 4 and 5 hitters if those hitters are really good?